News Release

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 31, 2012--
Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN) (“the Company”), a leading developer,
manufacturer, and marketer of life science tools and integrated systems
for the analysis of genetic variation and function, today confirmed that
Roche (RHHBY.PK) has submitted a slate of four nominees for election to
the Illumina Board of Directors at Illumina’s 2012 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, and proposed five alternate nominees.

In its notice to Illumina and a press release issued today, Roche is
proposing to increase the size of Illumina’s board from nine directors
to eleven directors with the newly-created directorships to be filled by
candidates nominated by Roche. According to Roche, “This approach allows
stockholders to elect Roche-nominated directors comprising a majority of
Illumina’s board.”

Said Jay Flatley, Illumina’s President and Chief Executive Officer, “As
previously announced, our Board is reviewing the tender offer launched
by Roche on January 27. The Board will advise stockholders of its formal
position regarding the tender offer within ten business days from that
date. We continue to advise our stockholders to take no action at this
time.”

With respect to Roche’s “board packing” proposal, Flatley noted that the
current Illumina Board is comprised of nine highly qualified directors,
eight of whom are independent. Mr. Flatley is the ninth director and, in
addition to his executive titles, is a substantial Illumina stockholder.
Said Flatley, “Our highly qualified Board will continue to act
independently and in the best interests of stockholders.”

Illumina (www.illumina.com)
is a leading developer, manufacturer, and marketer of life science tools
and integrated systems for the analysis of genetic variation and
function. We provide innovative sequencing and array-based solutions for
genotyping, copy number variation analysis, methylation studies, gene
expression profiling, and low-multiplex analysis of DNA, RNA and
protein. We also provide tools and services that are fueling advances in
consumer genomics and diagnostics. Our technology and products
accelerate genetic analysis research and its application, paving the way
for molecular medicine and ultimately transforming healthcare.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This communication may contain statements that are forward looking.
Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and
uncertainties and are based on potentially inaccurate assumptions that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or
implied by the forward-looking statements. Among the important factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any
forward-looking statements are (i) our ability to develop and
commercialize further our sequencing, BeadArray™, VeraCode®, Eco™, and
consumables technologies and to deploy new sequencing, genotyping, gene
expression, and diagnostics products and applications for our technology
platforms, (ii) our ability to manufacture robust instrumentation and
consumables, and (iii) significant uncertainty concerning government and
academic research funding worldwide as governments in the United States
and Europe, in particular, focus on reducing fiscal deficits while at
the same time confronting slowing economic growth; (iv) risks and
uncertainties relating to the possible transaction; and (v) other
factors detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including our most recent filings on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, or
in information disclosed in public conference calls, the date and time
of which are released beforehand. We undertake no obligation, and do not
intend, to update these forward-looking statements.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This communication does not constitute an offer to buy or solicitation
of an offer to sell any securities. Illumina may file a
solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Any
solicitation/recommendation statement filed by Illumina that is required
to be mailed to stockholders will be mailed to stockholders of Illumina.
INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF ILLUMINA ARE URGED TO READ THESE AND OTHER
DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY IF AND WHEN
THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION.
Investors and stockholders will be able to obtain free copies of these
documents (if and when available) and other documents filed with the SEC
by Illumina through the web site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.
In addition, Illumina may file a proxy statement and white proxy card
with the SEC. Any definitive proxy statement will be mailed to
stockholders of Illumina. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF ILLUMINA ARE
URGED TO READ THESE AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY IN
THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN
IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and security holders will be able to
obtain free copies of these documents (if and when available) and other
documents filed with the SEC by Illumina through the web site maintained
by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.

In addition, this document and other materials related to Roche’s
unsolicited proposal may be obtained from Illumina free of charge by
directing a request to Illumina, Inc., Attn: Investor Relations, Kevin
Williams, MD, kwilliams@illumina.com.

CERTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING PARTICIPANTS

Illumina and certain of its respective directors and executive officers
may be deemed to be participants under the rules of the SEC. Security
holders may obtain information regarding the names, affiliations and
interests of Illumina’s directors and executive officers in Illumina’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2011, which was
filed with the SEC on February 28, 2011, and its proxy statement for the
2011 Annual Meeting, which was filed with the SEC on March 24, 2011.
These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources
indicated above. Additional information regarding the interests of these
participants in any proxy solicitation and a description of their direct
and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will also be
included in any proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed
with the SEC if and when they become available.